By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today

For the third consecutive season, the Cardinals have finished on top of the National League Central division.

Jason Heyward crushed a grand slam and finished a triple away from the cycle and Tyler Lyons spun seven shutout innings as the redbirds picked up their 100th win of the season, securing a matchup with the winner of the NL Wild Card game (Cubs/Pirates) in the League Divisional Series.

After Adam Wainwright’s return to the mound was the only major bright spot in an otherwise forgettable 8-2 loss to the Pirates in game one of a day/night doubleheader, it was only fitting that a replacement played a key role in the Cardinals’ 11-1 victory in the nightcap.

Making his first start since September 2 as he took the place of Carlos Martinez in the Cardinals’ rotation, Lyons pitched his most impressive game in the majors, striking out five without walking a batter over seven dominant innings. Jason Heyward was the key contributor on offense, backing Lyons with a third inning grand slam and reaching base three times in his first four plate appearances. The two time Gold Glove Award winner also made two outstanding catches in right field.

With their 100th victory, the Cardinals will play in October for the fifth straight year. The redbirds reached the century mark in wins for the ninth time in club history, also becoming the first team in baseball since the 2011 Philadelphia Phillies to win 100 games.

The Pirates and Cubs will face each other in the National League Wild Card game on Wednesday, October 7, with the winner advancing to face the redbirds in the Divisional Series, which kicks off next weekend.

See below for more coverage of the game and postgame celebration: